Senior Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Cambridge
Full-time
Closing date: 27 February 2022

Deadline: 27 February 2022

The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) invites applications for a full-time Senior Research Associate with expertise in the long-term impacts, risks, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI). This post offers a unique opportunity to help lead an ambitious group of researchers who are highly motivated to have a real impact on the safe and beneficial development of AI.
CSER's work focuses on global risks, including those that could lead to human extinction or civilizational collapse. We conduct research to better understand these risks, develop collaborative strategies to reduce them, and foster a global community of academics, technologists, and policy-makers working to safeguard humanity. The challenges that CSER and our collaborators focus on will only grow more pressing over the years to come.

The Role

The Senior Research Associate will join the AI: Futures and Responsibility (AI:FAR) programme, a collaboration between CSER and its sister organisation the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI). You will be expected to be an active member of CSER's management team, taking part in the coordination and development of CSER's projects, and building our networks. This role includes line management responsibilities.

Key activities associated with the role include:

  • Independent and collaborative research on the long-term impacts, risks and governance of AI, to be published as papers, reports, and other more innovative forms of outputs.
  • Contribute to leading the AI: Futures and Responsibility (AI:FAR) programme.
  • Provide line management support and mentorship to CSER's postdoctoral researchers and research assistants.
  • Participate in and some coordination of Centre-wide activities such as team meetings, work-in-progress seminars, and public events.
  • Maintaining coordination and active dialogue about Centre activities with CSER's management board, collaborating centres, financial supporters, and other stakeholders.

About you

Applicants must have:

  • A high level of education, preferably to a PhD level, and experience of postdoctoral research or equivalent in a relevant setting, with strong evidence of potential for research and publication at a high level.
  • Expertise in long-term impacts, risks, and governance of AI.
  • Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to organise own workload effectively, maintain a high level of research productivity, and support others in managing competing demands.
  • The ability to support researchers in individual growth, and in doing so promoting a kind and curious culture.
  • Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, including the ability to represent CSER and its research to diverse stakeholders and expert communities.
  • Enthusiasm and strong commitment to CSER's core research aims.

How to apply

If you have any questions about this vacancy you can contact recruitment@cser.cam.ac.uk, or about the application process, please contact Ruth Farley, HR Coordinator on SAHHR@admin.cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is midnight (GMT) on Sunday 27 February 2022. We expect to hold remote interviews in mid March subject to change.

The funds for this post are available until 31 July 2024 in the first instance.

Find out more and apply

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